Pirates Non-Tender Watch: Will Suwinski or Oneil Cruz Be Tendered?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have kicked off their offseason roster shuffle with a series of strategic moves ahead of the Rule 5 Draft deadline. They added six players to their 40-man roster and parted ways with five others.

This signals a focus on protecting valuable talent, but also shows the front office wants flexibility for future moves. With the non-tender deadline looming this Friday, the Pirates face another challenge: deciding which arbitration-eligible players will get contracts and which will be released.

This could be a pivotal offseason for the club. Every decision might shape the 2025 campaign in ways we can’t quite predict yet.

Pirates Clear Space by Designating Two Relievers

The Pirates designated relievers Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta for assignment. This move saves the club about $2.5 million in projected salaries, offering a bit of payroll relief before other expected expenses hit.

Holderman’s Struggles Seal His Fate

Holderman’s time in Pittsburgh was rocky, filled with inconsistent results and injuries. He showed flashes of effectiveness, but just couldn’t stay healthy or deliver steady success.

Moreta’s Situation Complicated by Depth Chart

Dauri Moreta’s lack of minor-league options ended up being the deciding factor. The Pirates have new relief arms coming in, and carrying a reliever without options just didn’t make sense for the front office.

Arbitration Decisions Loom Large

Six arbitration-eligible players remain. The Pirates must choose who gets a contract by Friday’s deadline.

Each decision brings a mix of performance, positional value, and budget considerations. It’s not always as straightforward as it looks on paper.

Locks to Stay

Some names feel like sure bets to return, unless something wild happens:

• Oneil Cruz – Projected at $3.6 million. His 2025 wasn’t stellar, but his athleticism and power still make him untouchable in the eyes of decision-makers.
• Dennis Santana – Steady middle-inning work and reliability keep him in the mix.
• Joey Bart – Catching depth is hard to find, and Bart’s defense plus clubhouse energy matter more than box scores sometimes.
• Johan Oviedo – Projected at $2 million. He bounced back after surgery and brings needed rotation flexibility.

Borderline Cases

The bullpen decisions get tricky, especially with all the changes so far.

• Justin Lawrence – Likely to stick around. His 0.51 ERA, even in limited action, turned some heads.
• Yohan Ramirez – Projected for non-tender. He’s had moments, but inconsistency and roster crunch put his future in real doubt.

Strategic Context Behind the Moves

The Pirates are trying to balance two big priorities: roster protection and payroll management. By adding six players to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft, they make sure those talents don’t get snatched up by rival clubs.

At the same time, freeing roster space and trimming salary now sets the stage for bigger moves. Maybe it’s free agency, maybe it’s a trade—either way, the front office is clearly trying to position the club for a stronger push in 2025.

Final Thoughts

The Pirates’ early offseason moves show a team trying to stay disciplined in both player evaluation and financial planning.

Every choice—whether it’s letting go of a struggling reliever or locking in an arbitration-eligible player—feeds into their bigger goal. They want a balanced roster that can handle the grind of a full MLB season.

With the non-tender deadline just days away, fans should expect more clarity soon. Maybe even a few surprises as the Pirates keep tweaking their roster for what’s next.

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Here is the source article for this story: Analysis: Evaluating the Pirates’ non-tender options ahead of Friday’s deadline